Support device for marking implements

ABSTRACT

A generally U-shaped, resilient support device is provided for marking implements of the type having an applicator end, the device having a base, a vertical member at one end of the base and a top member extending from the upper end of the vertical member at an upward angle with respect to the base. The top member has an aperture therein for receiving a marking implement so that the applicator end of the implement protrudes below the top member but is spaced upwardly from the base. The height of the vertical member and the angle of the top member are such that the top member is capable of being flexed downwardly toward the base to dispose the applicator end of the marking implement generally perpendicular to a surface to be contacted. The base is provided with an enlarged opening in general vertical alignment with the aperture in the top member so that, upon downward flexure of the top member, the applicator end of the marking implement is permitted to contact a surface beneath the base through its enlarged opening.

United States Patent Ciraolo 1 1 SUPPORT DEVICE FOR MARKING IMPLEMENTS [76] Inventor: Santo Ciraolo, 934 Hutchinson Ct.,

Brooklyn, NY. 11223 [22] Filed: Aug. 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 386,937

[52] U.S. Cl. 401/48, 401/131 [51] Int. Cl B43k 5/00 [58] Field of Search 101/368; 401/48, 131, 193, 401/198, 199, 292

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,839,993 6/1958 Orthwin..... I 101/368 3,045,593 7/1962 Petterson... 101/368 3,355,239 11/1967 Albrecht 401/198 X 3,403,623 10/1968 Blackwood 101/368 3,756,153 9/1973 Cohen 101/368 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Attorney, Agent, or Firm-1-1oward E. Thompson, Jr.

[ 5 7 1 ABSTRACT A generally U-shaped, resilient support device is provided for marking implements of the type having an applicator end, the device having a base, a vertical member at one end of the basev and a top member extending from the upper end of the vertical member at an upward angle with respect to the base. The top member has an aperture therein for receiving a marking implement so that the applicator end of the implement protrudes below the top member but is spaced upwardly from the base. The height of the vertical member and the angle of the top member are such that the top member is capable of being flexed downwardly toward the base to dispose the applicator end of the marking implement generally perpendicular to a surface to be contacted. The base is provided with an enlarged opening in general vertical alignment with the aperture in the top member so that, upon downward flexure of the top member, the applicator end of the marking implement is permitted to contact a surface beneath the base through its enlarged opening.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures In a preferred embodiment, the base is provided with aligning means enabling the applicator end of a marking implement to be accurately positioned over that part of a surface to be contacted by the applicator end.

This invention relates to a resilient support device for marking implements having means for removably securing a marking implement to a member of the device which can be flexed downwardly permitting the applicator end of the implement to contact a surface and provide an indiciumthereon. The device can be easily moved across a surface or from one surface to another and is provided with means so that an applicator end can be accurately aligned with that part of a surface to be contacted thereby.

PRIOR ART AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Although the prior art reveals various types and kinds of marking and recording devices, no prior art is known that is pertinent to this invention. Illustrative of the known prior art are such devices as are disclosed and described in US. Pat. Nos. 1,306,905 to Jackson; l,769,028 to Johnson; 2,192,825 to Carney; 2,530,929 to Wirfel; and 3,689,072 to Taylor. Examination of these prior art patents readily reveals that none contain subject matter remotely resembling or suggestive of the device of this invention.

The type of marking implements for which the device of the invention is particularly adaptable are those having a chamber providing a reservoir for marking fluid, such as ink, dye, and the like, an extension or neck at one end of the chamber, and a wick-type applicator tip protruding from the extension. The extension usually isof smaller cross-section than the chamber and is generally threaded to receive a screw cap to cover the applicator tip when the implement is not in use. Implements of this type are used by holding them so that the applicator end is disposed downward, permitting the marking fluid to wet the applicator by combined wicking action and gravity feed. The applicator tip is then pressed against or drawn across a surface to be marked, thereby transferring the ink or dye marking fluid to the surface.

Marking implements of this type are generally wellknown and have more recently become widely accepted in connection with playing the game of Bingo; and the problems associated with such implements can be clearly illustrated by reference to their use in this game.

Many Bingo Parlors" now sell one-use paper cards which are marked during play with a transparent ink by means of a marking implement as described above. As is well-known, the game of Bingo requires frequent marking or identification of the numbers called as most players use several cards in the hope of increasing their chances to win. When not in use, these marking implements are frequently dropped'on the floor or tend to THE INVENTION The resilient support device of the invention overcomes the problems described above while providing a handy holder which can be easily moved across a surface or from one surface to another. In addition, the device is provided with means so that an applicator end can be accurately positioned over that part of a surface to be contacted.

In general, the resilient support device of the invention comprises a base, a vertical member at one end of the base, and a top extending from the upper end of the vertical member at a slight upward .angle with respect to said base. Means are provided for removably securing a marking implement to the top member so that the applicator end of the implement protrudes below the top member spaced upwardly from the base. The height of the vertical member and the angle of the top member are such that, upon downward flexure of the top member, the applicator end is disposed generally perpendicular with respect to a surface to be contacted thereby. Downward flexure of the top member can be provided either by the materials employed to fabricate the device, such as plastics, thin metals, and the like, or by mechanically joining the top member to the base, such as with hinged springs. The base is formed to provide easy alignment of the applicator end and permit it to accurately contacta desired portion of the surface upon which the device is placed.

The novel features and structural details of the support device of the invention will become more apparent from the following description thereof when considered together with the accompanying drawing, in which the several figures illustrate various embodiments thereof, and wherein:

FIG.'1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device, illustrating a marking implement secured to the top member thereof;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the top member of the device shownin FIG. 1 illustrating another means for securing a marking implement thereto;

FIG. 3 is a view taken substantially on the line 33 of FIG. 1; v FIG. 4 is a view taken substantially on the line 44 of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 illustrating another embodiment of the base member of the device and one manner in which it can be employed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the resilient support device of the invention, generally identified by reference numeral 10, is of general, U-shaped configuration having a planar base member 11 adapted for placing the device on a horizontal support surface, a vertical member 12 at one end of the base, and a planar top member 13 extending from the upper end of the vertical member in general alignment with, but at a slight upward angle to, the base.

Where the marking implement to be used is of the type and kind heretofore described, means for mounting it to the top member 13 is suitably provided in the form of an aperture 14 (FIG. 3.) so that the marking implement can be placed therein with its chamber, shown in broken line at 15, extending upwardly from the top member 13 and the extension or neck 16 thereof extending downwardly through the top member 13, so that its applicator end 17 protrudes below the top member 13 spaced apart from the upper surface of the base 11. The height of the vertical member 12 and the upward angle of the top member 13 should be such that, when the top member 13 is flexed downwardly toward the base 11, the applicator end 17 is disposed generally perpendicular to the surface to be contacted.

For ease of alignment of the marking implement with respect to a surface to be contacted, the base is provided with means for such alignment and permitting the applicator end to come into contact with the surface to be marked. One such means is shown in FIG. 4 in the form of an enlarged opening 18 formed in base 11 in general, vertical alignment with the aperture 14 in the top member 13. Thus, after properly aligning the device by sighting through the enlarged opening 18 in base 11, downward flexure of the top member 13 causes the applicator end 17 to pass through said opening and contact the surface beneath the base to provide an indicium thereon.

Various means can be utilized to removably secure a marking implement to the top member of the device and one such means is illustrated in FIG. 1 in the form of a depending hub 19 which is coaxially aligned with aperture 14 and whose inner surface is threaded, as at 20, to receive the threads on the surface of the extension or neck 16 of the marking implement. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the securing means can be in the form of a washer 21 whose inside diameter is the same as the diameter of the extension 16, so that the washer can be screwed onto the threads 20 of the extension 16 in securing the marking implement to the top member 13. Naturally, where the marking implements used do not have threaded extensions by which they can be removably secured to the top member as illustrated in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, other means, well-known to those skilled in the art can be employed to removably secure a marking implement to the top member, such as spring clamps, clips and the like, or by sizing aperture 14 so that it frictionally engages the marking implement in firmly securing it to the top member.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the base 11 can be provided in the form ofa pair of elongated, generally horseshoe-or wishbone-shaped legs 22, 23 defining the enlarged opening 18' therebetween. Each of the legs 22, 23 are also preferably formed so that a predetermined, fixed distance is provided between them adjacent their open ends, such as between the portions indicated by reference numerals 24 and 25.

Base 11 is further provided with opposed cutouts 26, 27 formed intermediate their ends and aligned so as to be on a common axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the device.

The purpose for providing a fixed distance between the legs 22, 23, as at 24, 25, and cutouts 26, 27 will become apparent from an illustration of the manner in which the device can be used as, for example, in association with the game of Bingo." As shown in FIG. 5, the device ofthe invention is illustrated being used with a portion of a Bingo play card generally identified by reference numeral 28. As can be seen, the distance between legs 22, 23 respectively is such that leg portions 24, 25 can be aligned with opposed parallel sides of a vertical row of Bingo" squares, thereby permitting the user to accurately align the applicator end of the marking implement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device. Similarly, opposed cutouts 26, 27 are of a width to be aligned with parallel sides of a horizontal row of Bingo" squares to transversely align the applicator end over a selected square of the Bingo" card for marking by the applicator end. The illustration in FIG. 5 shows that squares 9 and 43" have previously been thus marked and that square 27 has just been marked.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the device of the invention provides a handy, movable support for a marking indicator and includes means for aligning the device so that accurate marking of a surface can be accomplished. In aligning the device with respect to a surface to be marked, the user can sight through the open end of the device or through either side at almost any angle in properly lining up sections 24, 25 and cutouts 26, 27 for accurate application of an indicium. Thus, this ease of alignment permits the device to be rapidly positioned for marking, an advantage particularly adaptable to a game such as Bingo where numbers in different positions on one or more cards are called in rapid succession.

As mentioned earlier, .the device can be formed from any suitable materials, such as metals, plastics, combinations of metals and plastics, and the like. Preferably, however, the device is formed as a single, integral unit molded from suitable plastics, with the top member being sufficiently thin in cross-section so as to enable it to be repeatedly flexed downwardly with little or no loss in its resiliency. In addition, when plastics are used, it is also preferred that they be of the transparent type to further facilitate alignment and accurate marking of a surface as leg sections 24, 25 and cutouts 26, 27 can be sighted directly through the top member 13.

Although the device of the invention has been described and illustrated in connection with a particular type marking indicator, it should be clearly understood that this has been by way of illustration only and there is no intention to limit the device solely to the use of such implements. The device readily lends itself for use with other types of implements or indicators designed to provide different types of indicia, such as numerals, symbols and artistic designs, as well as those which will impart an emboss to a contacted surface.

Hence, while the device of the invention has been described in some detail and with particularity, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A resilient support device for generally cylindrical marking implements of the type having means at one end for applying an indicium to a surface axially contacted thereby, said support device comprising a planar base adapted for placement on a horizontal support surface, the length and width of said base being less than three times the diameter of such cylindrical marking implement; a vertical member at one end of said base; a top, planar member extending from the upper end of said vertical member in general alignment with and at a slight upward angle to said base, said top member having an aperture formed therein for receiving the applicator end of a marking implement; and, means for removably securing a marking implement within said aperture such that the applicator end of said marking implement protrudes below said top member spaced upwardly from said base, and said base having an enlarged opening formed therein in general, vertical alignment with said aperture such that downward flexure of said top member permits the applicator end of a marking implement secured thereto to contact a surface beneath said base through said enlarged opening.

2. The support device of claim 1 wherein the height of said vertical member and the angle of said top member are such that, upon downward flexure of said top member, a marking implement secured thereto is disposed generally perpendicular to a surface contacted by said applicator end. i

3. The support device of claim 1 wherein said base is of unitary structure formed to have a pair of elongated legs, the open ends of said legs being spaced apart a predetermined distance such that the applicator end of a marking implement can be accurately aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of said device.

4. The support device of claim 3 wherein said legs are provided with opposed, transversely aligned cutouts intermediate their ends for accurate transverse alignment of the applicator end of a marking implement.

5. The support device of claim 1 wherein said marking implement is of the type having an elongated chamber for containing a marking fluid, an extension at one end of said chamber having a threaded surface, and a wick-type applicator end protruding from said extension.

6. The support device of claim 5 wherein said removable securing means comprises a depending hub coaxially aligned with said aperture, the inner surface of said hub being threaded to engage said extension in securing said marking implement to said top member.

7. The support device of claim 5 wherein said removable securing means comprises a washer having an in side diameter of a size sufficient to threadably engage said extension in securing said marking implement to said top member.

8. A resilient support device for generally cylindrical marking implements of the type having means for applying an indicium on a surface axially contacted thereby, said device comprising a planar base having a length and width less than three times the diameter of such cylindrical marking implement, said base being of unitary structure having a pair of elongated legs which define an enlarged opening therebetween and adapted for placement on a horizontal support surface, the open ends of said legs being spaced apart a predetermined distance and having opposed, transversely aligned cutouts intermediate their ends; a vertical member at the closed end of said base and closely adjacent said opening; a top, planar member extending from the upper end of said vertical member in general alignment with and at a slight upward angle to said base, said top member having an aperture formed therein for receiving a marking implement therein, such that the applicator end of said marking implement protrudes below said top member spaced upwardly from said base; and, means for removably securing a marking implement within said aperture, said aperture and the enlarged opening in said base being in general, vertical alignment, and the height of said vertical member and the angle of said top member being such that, upon downward flexure of said top member, said applicator end is disposed generally perpendicular to and is free to contact a surface beneath said base through said enlarged opening, accurate alignment of said applicator end with respect to the surface to be contacted being provided by the predetermined distance between said legs at their open ends and the opposed cutouts intermediate the ends of said legs.

9. The support device of claim 8 adapted for use with a marking implement of the type having an elongated chamber for containing a marking fluid, an externally threaded extension at one end of said chamber, and a wick-type applicator end protruding from the end of said extension.

10. The support device of claim 9 wherein said means for removably securing a marking implement comprises a hub coaxially aligned with said aperture, the

inner surface of said hub being threaded to coact with said device. 

1. A resilient support device for generally cylindrical marking implements of the type having means at one end for applying an indicium to a surface axially contacted thereby, said support device comprising a planar base adapted for placement on a horizontal support surface, the length and width of said base being less than three times the diameter of such cylindrical marking implement; a vertical member at one end of said base; a top, planar member extending from the upper end of said vertical member in general alignment with and at a slight upward angle to said base, said top member having an aperture formed therein for receiving the applicator end of a marking implement; and, means for removably securing a marking implement within said aperture such that the applicator end of said marking implement protrudes below said top member spaced upwardly from said base, and said base having an enlarged opening formed therein in general, vertical alignment with said aperture such that downward flexure of said top member permits the applicator end of a marking implement secured thereto to contact a surface beneath said base through said enlarged opening.
 2. The support device of claim 1 wherein the height of said vertical member and the angle of said top member are such that, upon downward flexure of said top member, a marking implement secured thereto is disposed generally perpendicular to a surface contacted by said applicator end.
 3. The support device of claim 1 wherein said base is of unitary structure formed to have a pair of elongated legs, the open ends of said legs being spaced apart a predetermined distance such that the applicator end of a marking implement can be accurately aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of said device.
 4. The support device of claim 3 wherein said legs are provided with opposed, transversely aligned cutouts intermediate their ends for accurate transverse alignment of the applicator end of a marking implement.
 5. The support device of claim 1 wherein said marking implement is of the type having an elongated chamber for containing a marking fluid, an extension at one end of said chamber having a threaded surface, and a wick-type applicator end protruding from said extension.
 6. The support device of claim 5 wherein said removable securing means comprises a depending hub coaxially aligned with said aperture, the inner surface of said hub being threaded to engage said extension in securing said marking implement to said top member.
 7. The support device of claim 5 wherein said removable securing means comprises a washer having an inside diameter of a size sufficient to threadably engage said extension in securing said marking implement to said top member.
 8. A resilient support device for generally cylindrical marking implements of the type having means for applying an indicium on a surface axially contacted thereby, said device comprising a planar base having a length and width less than three times the diameter of such cylindrical marking implement, said base being of unitary structure having a pair of elongated legs which define an enlarged opening therebetween and adapted for placement on a horizontal support surface, the open ends of said legs being spaced apart a predetermined distance and having opposed, transversely aligned cutouts intermediate their ends; a vertical member at the closed end of said base and closely adjacent said opening; a top, planar member extending from the upper end of said vertical member in general alignment with and at a slight upward angle to said base, said top member having an aperture formed therein for receiving a marking implement therein, such that the applicator end of said marking implement protrudes below said top member spaced upwardly from said base; and, means for removably securing a marking implement within said aperture, said aperture and the enlarged opening in said base being in general, vertical alignment, and the height of said vertical member and the angle of said top member being such that, upon downward flexure of said top member, said applicator end is disposed generally perpendicular to and is free to contact a surface beneath said base through said enlarged opening, accurate alignment of said applicator end with respect to the surface to be contacted being provided by the predetermined distance between said legs at their open ends and the opposed cutouts intermediate the ends of said legs.
 9. The support device of claim 8 adapted for use with a marking implement of the type having an elongated chamber for containing a marking fluid, an externally threaded extension at one end of said chamber, and a wick-type applicator end protruding from the end of said extension.
 10. The support device of claim 9 wherein said means for removably securing a marking implement comprises a hub coaxially aligned with said aperture, the inner surface of said hub being threaded to coact with said threaded extension in securing said marking implement to said top member.
 11. The support device of claim 10 wherein said hub is rotatably movable with respect to the top member of said device. 